UNUSUAL HUMMINGBIRD FOR IDAHO

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD -- Calypte anna

19 September - 8 December 2005, Burley, Cassia County

While not an unheard of hummingbird in Idaho, Anna's certainly is deserving of attention in this state. On the official Birds of Idaho Field Checklist, Anna's Hummingbird is listed as rare and local statewide during migration. There are typically at most two or three reports per year (and I personally suspect a much larger number that goes unreported). The origin of these birds is uncertain, but it is thought that fall sightings may be wanderers from breeding sites in the Pacific Northwest, perhaps Seattle, WA or Vancouver, BC.

This bird was one of the longest remaining birds in the state, present at least 19 September through 8 December 2005 at the home of Jim Tharp in Burley, Cassia County. Greg Wardwell was able to band and document this bird on 23 October 2005. Thank you, Jim, for helping us document Idaho hummingbirds.

On 19 September, Burley hummingbird aficionado Jim Tharp heard a weird song coming from a hummingbird with magenta feathers on it's head. The color of the feathers reminded Jim of a Broad-tailed Hummingbird, but the song was peculiar and unique. He suspected he had an Anna's Hummingbird, and the next day was able to find this website on the internet, and reported his find to us. The bird remained for a couple weeks, and after several back and forth emails, Greg Wardwell was able to band this bird on 23 October. The bird remained through 8 December. Records indicate that many birds depart the state well before this.

Aside from the song described by Jim, the bird was conclusively identified in hand as an Anna's Hummingbird by larger size, iridescent magenta feathers on the crown and throat, greenish blotchy chest, inner wing feathers approximately same width as outer ones (a feature distinguishing Calypte hummingbirds from Archilochus), and shape of tail feathers.

It was sexed as a male by the lack of white on the tips of any outer tail feathers and the presence of iridescent magenta feathers on the throat, cheeks (tails) and crown. Some females may show extensive "color" on the crown and throat, but will have white-tipped outer tail feathers.

Even though the wing and tail appeared fully molted and "adult", this bird was aged as an immature easily because of the retained green-centered chin feathers that had yet to be molted. Immature Anna's (and most females) have throat feathers with large greenish centers (see this one).

This was the second Anna's that Greg has banded in Idaho, the first Cassia County record, one of only three reported in Idaho during 2005, and about the 31st record for the state.

PHOTOS (all © 2005 Greg W. Wardwell)

Figure 1. This bird was aged as immature male by the persistent dark greenish centers on the chin. These feathers have not molted out yet, and will be replaced by iridescent magenta feathers soon (as shown on the feathers of the lower throat). Note the greenish, blotchy chest.	Figure 2. Wing feathers are adult, with the width of the inner feathers (p4 &5; by the thumb of the bander) about the same width as the feathers on the outer wing (except the outermost; p10)
Figure 3. Dorsal view.	Figure 4. Another fine view of the throat. Note iridescent feathers on crown, and the greenish-centered feathers on the chest and flanks.
MEASUREMENTS in hand: Exposed culmen: 16.44 mm. Wing cord: 45 mm. Tail length: 28 mm. Mass: 4.7 grams. Fat score: 2 on scale of 0-4.